BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s

denphone · 10-06-2019, 15:07

Up to 3.7 million pensioners who previously received a free TV licence will now have to pay for it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertain...eporting-story

Quote:

The BBC will scrap blanket free licences for over-75s, but housesholds with one person who receives Pension Credit will still be eligible.

The BBC said "fairness" was at the heart of the ruling, which comes into force in June 2020.

It follows a consultation with 190,000 people, of which 52% were in favour of reforming or abolishing free licences.

Mr K · 10-06-2019, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

Up to 3.7 million pensioners who previously received a free TV licence will now have to pay for it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertain...eporting-story

Fair enough imo

1andrew1 · 10-06-2019, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr K

Fair enough imo

Agreed. Otherwise, you cut the service back so it's unattractive or get the young to pay even more.

**Damien** · 10-06-2019, 15:43

This was inevitable as the population grew.

This is why the Government dumped the reasonability for funding this policy onto the BBC itself, so that when it finally happened they hoped it would be the BBC taking the blame rather than them.

Carth · 10-06-2019, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

Up to 3.7 million pensioners . . .

It follows a consultation with 190,000 people . . .

of which 52% were in favour of . . .

so, around 87,000 were the deciding factor in the Beebs decision concerning over 3 million others?

Seems like a 52-48 majority suits where applicable

denphone · 10-06-2019, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carth

so, around 87,000 were the deciding factor in the Beebs decision concerning over 3 million others?

Seems like a 52-48 majority suits where applicable

The minority deciding for the majority you could say.

**Hugh** · 10-06-2019, 16:02

Seems fair - those that can't afford it still get it free.

heero_yuy · 10-06-2019, 16:08

I wonder how many forgetful over 75's will be harrassed by TVL heavies into an early grave?

**Hugh** · 10-06-2019, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

I wonder how many forgetful over 75's will be harrassed by TVL heavies into an early grave?

Well, it's just another bill, so if they are not being harassed into an early grave by electricity, gas, or water bills, it's highly unlikely they will be by the TV Licence - they get the bill, they pay it (or have a monthly direct debit, like gas, water, electricity, council tax).

Simples...

denphone · 10-06-2019, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Seems fair - those that can't afford it still get it free.

You would hope so but how long before they wriggle out of that..

jonbxx · 10-06-2019, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

This was inevitable as the population grew.

This is why the Government dumped the reasonability for funding this policy onto the BBC itself, so that when it finally happened they hoped it would be the BBC taking the blame rather than them.

Indeed. It is convenient to forget that free licences for over 75s was introduced in 2000 as a labour policy and the funding has been pulled by the current government, leaving the BBC to pick up the bill. See also picking up the bill for the World Service and BBC Monitoring

**Damien** · 10-06-2019, 17:46

Yup: https://twitter.com/christopherhope/...06242889596929

Quote:

"We are very disappointed with this decision.
"We have been clear that we expected the BBC to continue this concession. People across the country value television as a way to stay connected ..."

If the Government want and expected the concession to continue they would have kept it themselves instead of handing over this liability to the BBC without an increase in funding and tell them it's 'up to them' what they do with it. They're now disappointed they chose not to fund it in its entirety as the cost of the policy increases year-on-year.

Typical government cowardice. They love to 'take the politics out' of something by moving it an arms-length body or privisating it and then slamming the consequences as if it were nothing to do with them. See rail franchising for another example.

OLD BOY · 10-06-2019, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Agreed. Otherwise, you cut the service back so it's unattractive or get the young to pay even more.

And of course, pensioners are the new wealthy, according to some.

denphone · 10-06-2019, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

And of course, pensioners are the new wealthy, according to some.

Not many wealthy pensioners down here in our part of the woods.

**Damien** · 10-06-2019, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

And of course, pensioners are the new wealthy, according to some.

Pensioners aren't the new wealthy, although some certainly are with how property has increased over the years, but they are a demographic largely isolated from austerity whilst the young have been disproportionately hit. You can get away with that for a while but eventually that portion of the electorate gets bigger.